Topical gels

Your erection lasts longer than two hours.

Instructions for Use

It’s important to know that there isn’t one set dose for alprostadil. You may need to gradually adjust the dosage according to how your body responds. It may take some time to find the right dose. If a healthcare provider prescribes injectable alprostadil, they’ll teach you how to use it. You inject alprostadil into the side of your penis.

4. Ease of use

Transurethral alprostadil is a type of suppository. You insert a tiny tablet or pellet into your urethra (the tube in your penis through which pee comes out of your body). It gradually breaks down inside your urethra and absorbs into your body. Studies show that transurethral alprostadil is less effective. There’s also a greater association with pain in your penis and burning.

Monitor for priapism

Topical alprostadil comes in the form of a cream or gel. You apply it to the end of your penis before sexual intercourse. However, topical alprostadil doesn’t have United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. It isn’t available in the U.S. as of yet. You have swelling or pain in your testicles, perineum or legs. Veins in your legs start to swell. You develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills or nausea and vomiting. You develop scarring or hard areas on your penis. The alprostadil solution looks cloudy, is a different color or has debris. Go to the nearest emergency room if your erection lasts longer than four hours.

No, you shouldn’t combine alprostadil with other oral medications for ED. Taking alprostadil in combination with Viagra or other similar drugs may increase toxic effects. The most common complication includes a prolonged erection that lasts longer than four hours. Without proper treatment, it can cause permanent damage to your penile tissue. The average cost of alprostadil is over $500 for a 5-milliliter (teaspoon size) vial.

The cost per dose depends on how much you need to inject, which varies from person to person. The lower the volume that you need to inject, the more doses per vial you’ll get, which makes it cheaper per dose. The cost of alprostadil may also depend on: The pharmacy where you pick up your prescription. Alprostadil can help treat erectile dysfunction and improve your sex life.

Over-the-counter Eroxon gel produces some effect in 23% of men with mild ED.

It’s important that you buy cenforce pills follow your alprostadil directions carefully. You shouldn’t use injectable alprostadil more than two to three times per week. You should wait at least 24 hours between each time you use it. Avoid using transurethral alprostadil more than twice every 24 hours. You should be able to get an erection within five to 20 minutes of taking injectable alprostadil.

Penis pump

Transurethral alprostadil should start to work within 10 minutes. Alprostadil isn’t a cure for erectile dysfunction. But when you use it correctly, it’s a safe, effective, long-term treatment for erectile dysfunction. Many people choose to use alprostadil for a long time. The primary benefit of alprostadil is that it helps you to get and maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. ED can cause a lot of different feelings — frustration, embarrassment, shame and even humiliation. You may even experience these feelings when you seek help from a healthcare provider. But ED is common, and providers are available to help you and make you as comfortable as possible with your questions and concerns. Ask a provider if alprostadil is the best treatment for you or if another medication is better. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.

Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. Alprostadil (Injectable and Transurethral) ( Updated 8/3/2021. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. At Cleveland Clinic, we offer specialty care that’s focused on you. Eroxon®, an over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) will be made available by Haleon in October 2024. The OTC gel is applied to the penis just before sex and has an onset of action of 10 minutes. The drug-free product produces a rapid cooling effect followed by a warming effect. This stimulates the nerve endings on the head of the penis, which then leads to vasodilation and erection.

• Ed gels help reduce discomfort from canker sores or mouth ulcers.
• They are also used before dental injections to minimize pain.
• Ed gels are available over-the-counter or via prescription in some cases.
• Proper dosage and application are crucial to avoid toxicity.

It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2023 and is intended for men aged 22 years and older experiencing ED. The topical therapy has been shown to be safe and effective in two phase 3 clinical trials. Results from these studies showed over 60% of participants with mild, moderate or severe ED experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in erections with Eroxon. Seventy-one percent of participants were able to have penetrative sex within 15 minutes of application.

Keep Your Expectations Low

You shouldn’t use alprostadil if you don’t have ED. It’s also unsafe to take more than your healthcare provider recommends. Improper use of alprostadil could cause permanent damage to your penis that prevents you from getting erections. Healthcare providers usually prescribe alprostadil to help treat ED by increasing blood flow inside your penis, which helps you maintain an erection. You might take alprostadil if pills to treat ED don’t work or cause side effects.

Watch how NEW Eroxon® works

This medication is considered the next step up in therapy. Before taking alprostadil, tell your doctor if you: Have had an allergic reaction to alprostadil. Have allergies to foods, preservatives or dyes. Are taking any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including herbal or dietary supplements. Have a history of painful, long-lasting erections (priapism).

Nitroglycerin gel side effects

Have any medical conditions, including congenital conditions (abnormalities since birth) that affect your penis, severe curvature when you have an erection (Peyronie’s disease), a penile infection or a condition that slows down your blood flow (such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, sickle cell disease or essential thrombocythemia). You may inject alprostadil by itself or as a mix with other medications to increase its effectiveness. Names for the alprostadil mix may include Bimix, Trimix and Quadmix. As a single ingredient, alprostadil comes in powder form. You must mix it with a liquid before you inject it into the side of the penis with a tiny needle. The gel was also found to be safe and well tolerated.

Fast-acting and efficacious.2 Clinically proven to work within 10 minutes.* In two clinical studies:2

Eric wants something to preserve the spontaneity of the moment and feel confident again. Eroxon® ED treatment gel is a non-drug treatment that works quickly at the source to help men like Eric attain and maintain an erection. Men who have ED tend to feel isolated, disappointed, frustrated, and emotionally exhausted—yet they may be hesitant to approach you about it.9 Proactively asking patients about ED9 and recommending Eroxon® as a safe and effective OTC ED treatment may help restore their confidence and sense of well-being. The first FDA-cleared over-the-counter erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment gel. Join Haleon HealthPartner to gain access to clinical and patient resources.

Avoid dubious or counterfeit products

As we work towards our shared ambition of driving better everyday health for all, collaborating with healthcare professionals like you is our top priority. Alprostadil is a medication that healthcare providers most commonly prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction. There are two main types: a solution that you inject directly into your penis and a suppository that you insert into your urethra. Side effects aren’t common, but may include an allergic reaction, pain and bruising. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

You’re always there for your patients. And we’re always here for you.

Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Alprostadil is a type of vasodilator that healthcare providers most commonly prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence). Vasodilators help increase blood flow through the blood vessels (arteries) by relaxing their walls and making them wider. Alprostadil is identical to a naturally occurring substance in your body that helps keep the blood vessels open. Eroxon is supplied in a single-dose tube. The gel is compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, as well as lubricants. It has not been tested with contraceptive foams and gels.

• Ed gels are formulated for rapid absorption in the oral mucosa.
• They usually come in small tubes or sachets for easy use.
• Some gels contain additional soothing agents like aloe vera or menthol.
• Ed gels are safe when used as directed but should be kept away from children.

Individuals interested in pre-ordering Eroxon may do so through Amazon.

Will Eroxon Gel Change That?

It causes an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse in about 80% of men. Very rarely, injectable alprostadil may also cause a penile infection. Your erection should last between 30 minutes and an hour. You may continue to have an erection after you orgasm, but it should go away within an hour. Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible if: You develop a painful curve when you have an erection. The product includes 4 single-use tubes and retails for $25.99. Haleon announces the launch of Eroxon®, the first and only FDA cleared OTC gel for erectile dysfunction, available for US preorder without a prescription.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common patient concern, and its prevalence is strongly associated with age. Data from the US National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests that 8.2% of men between ages 40-49 years and 77.5% of men greater than 75 years old suffer from erectile dysfunction.1 The prevalence of ED was also associated with other conditions such as diabetes mellitus, smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity.1 ED is most commonly managed with prescription phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors used orally such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.1 Commercially available injectables for ED such as alprostadil or phentolamine mesylate injections are also sometimes used. Compounded options for ED often include combination injectable products such as phentolamine mesylate/papaverine HCl/alprostadil combinations, commonly referred to as “Tri-mix”. Tri-mix injections can be associated with serious side effects. One study evaluating trimix use and reasons for dropout in 189 patients noted that 30% of patients discontinued Tri-mix due to lack of efficacy, 5.2% experienced fibrosis or scarring, and 3.7% reported priapism.2 While Tri-mix works well for many patients, adverse effects make this route inappropriate for some patients creating a need for alternatives.